One Piece: Gambling To The Top

A/N: Chapters ahead at patréon

www.pàtreon.com/Blazuki

***

After a night full of wet dreams after having that hug from Hancock and her approval to train Haki, Josh residence changed to Amazon Lilly officially. 

Hancock was quite busy today with managing the amazons' affairs, Josh had free time.

While waiting until his Haki training starts, Josh was currently seating by the beach, observing the Calm Belt. There was no wind in this place. The only thing that causes waves here is the colossal Sea King who lives down. Josh sighed as he was thinking about the girls. 

"I hope they aren't worried too much," Josh muttered, somewhat worried about the girls' feelings.. 

However, learning Haki now was a chance that he can't miss. It was more important than having Kalifa teaching him the full six powers… 

"So, my fate is to have hot teachers teaching me things." Josh smiled as he looked up.

the Empress of the Amazons likes him now, given how much she blushes and how she acts now around him.

Feeling that he is in his lucky days since he is being teased around by many hot amazons around, Josh decided to open the Mystery Boxes, tier 4, he has now. Also, there are 250 draw points.

Remembering how helpful the food, the common and average items were, Josh decided not to look down at them. 

Taking a chair and a juice cup, Josh opened his system and decided to draw. Opening the Mystery Boxes tier 4 guarantee him that he will have 6 rewards with Epic Tier at least. 

[ + Swordsmanship guide to Grand Master Level (Epic) ]

Josh looked through the manual and barely could contain his excitement. The only thing he felt sorry for is that he doesn't have his Epic Rank sword. As Josh read the manual for a bit, he saw it was talking about swordsmanship in a spiritual way, and how one, if he focused his soul, would be able to create illusions and attacks such as fire and so, which depends on the path the swordsman takes… it was so deep that it would take Josh some time to learn about. 

[ + Instant Mastery Pill (Epic) ]

(Master anything the host has a little knowledge of)

Josh has two of these now. He had originally planned to save one for one Haki type. But now having two pills now, it changes plans. He can use it to learn more about Swordsmanship to reach Grandmaster level instantly. Who knows, learning as much as Mihawk knows can help. Besides, swordsmanship is included in his set of martial arts. After all, one can't underestimate grandmaster level swordsman. 

[ + x2 Angel Tears (Epic)]

Josh rubbed his chin, wondering why the system gave him 2 Angel Tears now. It used to be one in the past… well, probably it depends on his luck, or the boxes can have multi rewards, or when he gets too much of an item, he can more of it. He didn't know, but he will learn in time. 

[ + Ability Upgrade (increases a talent or an ability by 50%) (Epic)]

[ + The empty knowledge manual (Epic)]

(Upgrade a martial art or anything knowledge  host hasn't' complete knowledge of)

[Random Candy Talent (Guarantee the host a random talent) (Epic)] 

Josh looked at the last reward. In comparison to his healing factor constitution, which he got from a legend rank item, it seems talents are guaranteed from the system comes from Epic Rank. 

'Alright, constitutions are legend, and talents are epic. They can be upgraded too…' Josh was learning more about the draws each time he draw. 

Although there was no item to increase his stamina or power, Josh believed that, with this set of items, he would experience a huge boost in his power, especially with the instant mastery pill and swordsmanship Grandmaster manual. 

While Josh was holding the swordsmanship epic manual and flipping the pages, thinking about the new techniques he can make with his knowledge, such as Judgement Slash, a little elder woman was walking toward him, a small chair in her hand. 

"So, you are the new guy whom Hancock didn't kill." 

"Oh… I was just friendly." 

Turning, Josh looked at the old woman who seemed to be around one meter tall, her face was quite big, and her snow hair danced on her shoulders. 

The old woman shook her head, placed her chair next to Josh, and jumped, sitting next to him. 

"You have no idea how less annoying she got in one day." The old woman said, turning her head to Josh, who seemed to be reading a martial arts manual. 

"She is not annoying to me," Josh said. Being teased by the best boobs or looking at the most charming woman so far isn't boring at all. 

"No wonder she got sick." 

"Sick?" Josh half-closed his eyes and turned to the old woman. 

"Hah. Men are always like that toward emotions. Whatever. It's something about the amazons." The old woman shook her head and opened the newspaper. 

Josh paused for a brief and thought before he frowned.

"Don't tell me she is in her period." 

The old woman choked on his words and coughed hard. "Amazons in amazon Lilly only gives birth to women, and they don't have periods." 

"Oh…" Josh shook his head. He felt this old woman is weird a bit. 

As Josh was planning what to do with the items he has gotten, the old woman stopped flipping the pages. Her eyes moving across the newspapers. 

"You are dead?"

Josh suddenly turned his face to her. Looking at the newspaper, with his sharp eyes, he could see it wasn't today's date. 

"The article is quite old." Josh thought for brief. Amazon Lilly exists in the middle of Calm Belt. It would be hard to deliver newspapers here without having the delivery bird eaten by colossal sea kings sometimes. 

The woman put the newspaper down and stared at Josh. "You are the Gambler!…" she seemed to be confused. 

"It says you are dead! The Gambler, they put your picture here." The woman continued reading and muttered. 

"You even defeated the Buster Call, and sank one of their battleships, before injuring an admiral! Holy Amazon! This news seems to be entertaining, if not for your image there." 

"I became a dead legend so…" he said calmly. 

'It seems my bluff worked.' Josh had a proud smirk drawn on his face when he finished hearing the news. However, there was more to think of.

"By the way, mind giving me that?"  his face turned serious. Knowing that his girls had read this article, Josh asked the old woman to give it to him. 

The old woman rolled the newspaper and gave it to Josh. "You know. You should hide your presence for now. The women would be more curious about you after reading this… you won't rest to start your training." 

"Hancock told you." 

"Well. I was the one who mentored her." 

"I thought she hates you…" Josh said as he opened the newspaper and started flipping the pages. 

The old woman stood up on the chair and shot Josh a sharp glare. 

"Listen, Gambler!" she yelled. "She and her sisters are poor girls. Just because she acts like a spoiled brat to me, doesn't mean we hate each other." 

"It's okay grandma." Josh patted her back. The old woman sat down and crossed her arms, muttering. "Seems you have some manners. Wish they call me grandma as you do." 

"I'm sure they will one day…. Damn!" 

"What…" 

Josh immediately stood up, after he noticed the bounties and his girl's images. 

As it seems, Robin had, out of her anger, made a marine warship sink in the middle of the sea, which had chased them after being on one island. It's easy for her to do that, given the fact she has very strong arms compared to the past. 

[Demon Child: Nico Robin. 150 million Berries]

[Fast Heavy girl: Mikita. 100 million Berries]

[Plasma girl: Marianne. 70 Million] 

[Blood Lusty: Kalifa. 300 Million Berries]

She looks sexy in that pic, though. That wasn't the important point. 

They gained high bounties for the first half of the Grand Line. Although the article says they had vanished, Josh felt quite worried for them, after knowing about their bounties. 

He was about to move away and go back. But his teacher, in his previous life as an intern, had taught him something. One should use emotion to think, not think with emotions. 

Josh immediately calmed down. He thought for a brief and noticed that he can't just go back. Besides, with Robin and Kalifa with them, the most experienced girls in spying and hiding, Josh would think they are hiding somewhere in the place they agreed to meet. 

If Josh goes back 

He was then struck by an idea. 

Josh has Hancock now on his side. Hancock wasn't only super strong and pretty, but a Warlord as well. 

Maybe he can ask her to tell the marines to stop persuading his women. Hancock would. Lately, she didn't seem to be able to refuse something he asks her. In fact, she takes the initiative to do something for him. 

"Old woman, can you get further information about these women," Josh said, turning to her. "Please." 

"Well, your crew seems to be strong, and all women." She said. "You have some charisma, it seems." 

Josh didn't laugh at her sarcasm. "I'll wait for information." Said Josh. Now, he doesn't know where the girls are, even though it's highly possible in Water 7. He, however, needs to make sure that things are right. 

"Hoh, young man is getting serious. Is that your real face?" The old woman smiled and said. "Sonia and Mari didn't see it back then." 

Josh, now, was half closing his eyes, like a hawk focusing on snatching its meat. In the arena, he had a very mocking face, and he had been making funny comments, but not now. 

"Is Hancock Busy. Tell her to start my training." He said, ready to experience a huge boost in his strength. Josh didn't believe that items are enough. After all, they assist him, and he has to do some hard work. 

"Young folk are always in haste." She just sighed and turned, jumping off the chair and walking away.